The Bird Snake (Thelotornis capensis) is also known as Southern Bird Snake or Twig Snake. The snake shown here was found in a tree in the Blyde River Canyon Preserve, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, in January, 2006. The images were shot with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender. This snake was remarkably camouflaged as it remained motionless in a tree along a stream. When the snake became concerned by my presence it swelled its neck in a threat display as shown in a number of the images below. This is a rear-fanged, venomous reptile so we did not attempt to handle it. Its diet consists of lizards, frogs, and small birds.